NIE replacing poles cut as an act of vandalism in July 2011
POLICE in Fermanagh are using hi-tech methods, usually only seen at a murder scene, to catch those responsible for interfering with the electricity supply to the Quinn Group of companies in Derrylin.
It involves a scanning device to detect if a chemical sprayed on telegraph poles can be linked to the chainsaw or other equipment used to fell them.
One Kinawley resident told the Herald how he looked on in amazement when 15-20 police officers donned white suits and masks to search out houses at his home early on Friday morning.
A Police spokesman said the PSNI had carried out four searches and made three arrests in connection with ongoing criminal damage at Power NI (NIE) property in the South Fermanagh area on Friday last, 22nd February.
“Those arrested have been released on bail pending further enquiries.”
The spokesman declined to comment on the tactics used in the searches.
The searches followed the felling the previous week of three telegraph poles in the Derrylin area carrying high-voltage electricity to two Quinn Group Manufacturing premises.
The pole felling incident was the first since a spate of similar attacks in the summer months of 2011.
At around 6.30 on Friday morning, police officers arrived at the home of Sean McGovern, Springtown, Kinawley.
He described what happened next: “They put on white suits and forensic masks and they proceeded to search out houses and cars in the yard. They did forensic tests on two chainsaws, but didn’t take them away.
“They didn’t do the search manually, as they normally do, but they seemed to use an ultra-violet light to detect chemicals that was probably spread on the poles.”
Mr McGovern, who was staying overnight with his 92-year old mother, was annoyed at the manner she was awakened.
“She’s 92 and she suffers from Alzheimer’s, and they banged on her bedroom window. I have never worked for Sean Quinn, but I do have sympathy for his plight. In my case, they didn’t find anything, but I do think they should be targeting their searches at the people who have taken over from Sean Quinn for stealing his property.”
Mr McGovern told the Herald that neighbouring houses had also been searched that morning.
Fermanagh Erne West Councillor, Bernice Swift condemned the dawn raids.
She went on: “I condemn the heavy-handedness of the PSNI and wave of destruction to people’s houses left behind after bogus searches of homes.
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